I am Neil Meyerowitz, founder and CEO of Plush Car Wash, a national, multi-million-rand business, but at heart I’m still the guy who bought 1 small car wash with 8 staff, washing 600 cars a month.

I launched Plush in 2009 with a vision to turn car washing from a chore into an experience people could trust and even look forward to. Today, Plush operates more than 70 sites across South Africa, with over 800 washers who collectively wash tens of thousands of cars every month. We are the only car wash company offering water, steam, and waterless solutions. Plush has become a household name, especially with the launch of our Prestige sites featuring hexagonal lighting, welcoming waiting areas and setting a new standard for what a car wash can be.

But Plush is about far more than just shiny cars. It is about people and creating pathways to a better life. Each site we open puts food on dozens of tables. Many of our washers have been with us for years, some running their own waterless operations and earning more than they ever imagined possible. Watching the people who work at Plush educate their children and build brighter futures is my proudest achievement.

My late grandfather, David Meyerowitz, was my greatest inspiration. He worked into his nineties not for money, but because he loved contributing and doing things the right way. His values – integrity, hard work, and giving back – shape every decision I make. Plush is built on that ethos: we focus as much on impact as on profit.

What makes me a worthy winner is that Plush is not just a business, it is my life’s work. We have faced setbacks, rebuilt stronger teams, and refined our systems, all while scaling significantly and opening flagship sites that strengthen our national footprint. Through it all, we have kept the family culture that started it all.

Winning this award would celebrate not just my journey, but the hundreds of people who make Plush what it is today. It would validate the years of hard work and resilience I have invested – creating jobs, innovating, and shining a little brighter for South Africa.

My vision. For me and my family, we will continue to put down roots in South Africa, both in the country and Jewish community. For the business, I see huge future potential, expanding into new sectors, growing the brand and upskilling South African youth for a long time to come. For South Africa itself, it’s my home and still such a great place, despite the numerous issues and I really think there is still huge potential and amazing opportunties here.